The Herbaliser

UK musicians have a reputation for innovation. From the rock and pop bands of the 1960s to the producers of drum n' bass, dubstep and grime, British music makers have a long history of taking largely black, American music and not just reproducing it, but radically changing it to fit their own experience. After more than a quarter of a century making music and touring the world, much loved UK band The Herbaliser are a longstanding part of this tradition.

Formed in London during the early 1990s, the band's core members Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba were inspired by soul, funk and in particular the then current hip hop emerging from America. Unfortunately, at that time, they didn't know any rappers. They made up for this missing element by adopting an extra ingredient to fill the absence; a widescreen cinematic feel born of vivid imagination.

The spy thrillers, westerns and detective shows of the duo's 1970s youth would be plundered for inspiration and translated to vinyl by what would soon become their trademark, an explosive and extensive live band. But this template was set long before the convening of that large ensemble.

The Herbaliser were signed to Ninja Tune in the mid 90s, releasing their first EPs and the album 'Remedies', which collated them, in 1995. Ninja Tune, alongside compatriot label Mo Wax, would soon come to define a new British musical response to the American hip hop of the day. With an extremely keen eye on the visual design aspects of their releases, these labels explored an often chilled and downbeat style of instrumental hip hop (dubbed trip hop, by some) which proved to be of widespread appeal. With their distinct sounds and visual identities the labels quickly garnered huge audiences worldwide and as one of Ninja Tune's leading lights
The Herbaliser would soon become one of the movement's most visible artists.